HOME ECONOMICS ASSOCIATION.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18855, 7 May 1923, Page 2

HOME ECONOMICS ASSOCIATION.

NORTH DUNEDIN BRANCH. A meeting of the North Dunedin Branch Committee and the Executive of the Otago Home Economics Association was convened hy Mrs C. H. Hayward, and was held in her house on Thursday evening. Tlie object of the meeting_ was to learn from the Central Association Executive explicitly what its aims were and the terms of the constitution that affected the branches.

Professor Strong, president of the Otago Home Economics Association, gave a most interesting and lucid account of the origin of Home Economic Associations. She traced the growth and extension from one small group of earnest women and men, determihed upon the betterment of homes and ' upon improving the conditions of home living. The impetus had spread and intensified, and had grown to a great international effort. There were now associations in the United States, Canada, Britain, and France, and many other countries. , She referred also to the growth of ,'the Journal of Home Economics, which had its beginning as a small bulletin isshed by one small association, and now ranked as an important, journal, am-1 she produced a March copy of the journal. She gave a lucid account of the aims'of the association, and explained why the Otago temporary council, or the originators of the Otago movement, had considered it best to have"' branch associations, with a central council rather than one largo association. The division into local branches or associations gave the opportunity for developments suited to the local field. It was shown that branches had considerable independence in this direction. By, her clever way of explaining 1 clauses in. the constitution she made their meaning perfectly clear and interesting. Mrs O. H. Hayward (president -of the North Otago branch) provided supper, and unpleasant and profitable ■ meeting was ended with the usual thanks to the speaker and to-the hostess.

On I 'Tuesday last the Caversham branch held its monthly meeting. " The organising secretary (Mrs Brown) occupied the chair in the beginning of the meet-ing-during the unavoidable absence of "-the president (Mrs Stewart), and made some introductory' remarks. . The honorary secretary of the_ Otago Home Economics. Association explained • its aims and helpful intentions, and also the clauses of the constitution, which dealt with the relationship of the branches' to 'the Central Association. Orte of the Studholme House students then gave a running commentary upon Professor Strong’s, kst lecture and, demonstration, dealing with the subject, “How can we use scientific principles of management in our homes?”